Morning journal and courier., 1887-10-20
FOX A PoL1CE NATION.

prIatIon to Employ q MatrOn-Omcer
MeIla Reduced Two Grades-ROunds.
man Mcbride Prefers Charges of Dis
respect Against Onacer George hyde
The Police Estimates for the Coming
Year.
The police commissioners held one of the
longest special meetings on record last eve
ming, not adjourning till after II o'clock.
The case of Officer Melia, who was sus-
pended few days ago for alleged drunken
ness and neglect of duty, occupied the
boards attention for some time. 5e
There were several charges made against
the officer
Charge hrst was for incompetence and in
toxication while on duty. The specifications
were that at about 1850 a. m. September %
Patrolman Melia while on street patrol duty
was staggering in an intoxicated condition on
George street; at about 2:12 a. m. October II
he reported off duty twelve minutes late and
he was then under the influence of intoxicat-
ing liquors. During the past six months said
patrolman has at various times shown strong
signs of having Unexpectedly partaken of
intoxicating liquors. Charge second was
that on the night of October II said patrol
man neglected to patrol his beat and without
proper reason therefor spent forty five min
utes at Weibel's brewery, of which fact he
made no report-either in his book or other
wise.
Sergeant Driscoll was the first to testify
against Patrolman Melia.
He told how he saw the officer entering
Weibels brewery and had on several other
occasions noticed him under the influence of
liquor. He stated that he spoke to the
officer about his drinking habits and he had
replied that he intended to give up drinking
altogether.
Roundsman Mcbride and LieutenantW rinn
also testified on the case.
In his own behalf Officer Melia said that
he did not intend to fight the sergeant or the
roundsman, but wanted to offer an explsna-
ton.
Charles Nichols, a bookkeeper at Weibel's
brewery, and the proprietor testified in On
Ger Melia's behalf Mr.. Weibel had request
ed the officer to go over his property II he
had the time to see that everything was all
right. Officer Melia had notified Mr.. Weibel
of an occurrence which had happened owing
to an unfaithful Waterman and Mr.. Weibel
then made the above request.
The officer denied that he was drinking
beer on the night in question, but said he
had been taken suddenly i'll several times,
thus causing the delays mentioned. He ac-
counted for the alleged staggering by saying
that he was at loss for sleep.
In executive session the board voted to re-
duce Officer Melia two grades from A to g
with the understanding that if he is ever
again charged with drunkenness that he be
permanently suspended.
Officer Melia will go on duty this after
noon.
Roundsman William E. Mcbride preferred
the following charge against Officer George
Hyde:
"That he has lied about me by making
statements that am giving the workings of
IL j.
the London House was raided the policewould
have been more successful if had not given
the job away. He has used other language
disrespectful about me with the intention
of injuring my character and reputation as a
police officer"
Officer Hyde denied the accusation.
Roundsman Mcbride brought forward Off
Ger Gerard as his first witness. Officer Mar
shall told him Gerard that Officer Hyde
told him (MarshalD that if it hadn't been for
Mcbride giving the "tip" the London House
raid would have proved more successful.
Roundsman Mcbride asked Officer Marshall
yesterday morning if Hyde told him any
thing about the London House raid. He
said that he did and that he would go before
the board and testify if necessary.
But Officer Marshall told an entirely diff
ferent story before the board last night. He
denied in toto that the London House raid
was mentioned at all, but that remarks were
made about the case of Healy, the saloon
keeper recently arrested.
No action was taken.
Commissioner Baldwin, the committee ap-
pointed on police matron, made verbal re-
port. He advocated that an appropriation
of eight hundred dollars be petitioned for to
employ a matron and furnishing place for
her.
Commissioner Shannon asked what success
had been had in obtaining Jsnitor Bohan's
room for the matron.
Commissioner Baldwin thought the matter
could be arranged satisfactorily. He had
spoken to Town Agent Reynolds and Colonel
Bohsn. The town agent did not express
himself in definite manner.
Commissioner Gallagher said he would
any consideration.
The board in executive session voted to
present the following petition to the Com.
mon Council:
To the Court of Common Council of the City
of New Haven:
The board of police commissioners would
respectfully represent that it has been re.
quested by many prominent citizens and tax
payers to employ police matron to take
charge of female prisoners at the police sta
ton. This board has given the matter care
full consideration and find that the employ
ment of a matron as requested would neces
state some changes in the buildings used by
the police department ana especially in the
lookup, the cost of which would probably
not exceed $500, and that the annual salary
of matron would probably be about 5000
Convinced of the adVisability of an expert
ment in this direction, this board would re.
spectfuliy request your honorable body tc
arrange with the town authorities to provide
a room for the use of a matron and to appro-
pirate sum not exceeding $500 to cover the
expense of any changes that may be made
~ ba h1i md eR00 tor fh1
matron's salary
On motion of Commissioner Hart 5000
was transferred from the pay roll to sundry
account and $3.50 from the pay roll to the
telephone account.
Estimates for the ensuing year were made
as follows: Pay roll, $112, 600; police alarm,
So, 033.55; wagons and harness, $1,025;
voting places, 500; total, SIG, $685. 55. The
committee on estimates were instructed to &c
before the committee on finance with the
figures.
The board voted to petition the Common
Council for sum not exceeding 81 600 for
the purpose of enlarging the Grand avenue
pylice station.
The board will for while at least try the
experiment of doing without a doorkeeper at
the precinct. During Officer William Luby 8
illness the precinct got along 80 well without
one that the board was of the opinion after
Officer Luby resigned that the department
could do without doorman. The patrol
wagon driver will have his duties increased
somewhat.
The board voted to refer Chief Bollman's
bill for medical attendance back to the
board of finance. The clerk was instructed
to notify the finance committee that in the
opinion of the board there is an implied con-
tract that the city should pay bills of this
kind The amount asked for is $40.
Tax CommIsEIonerS'M Meeting.
The tax commissioners met in room II,
City Hall, laft night and heard arguments on
abatement of taxes by Peter Murphy, Benja-
min Noyes, Dennis Lucey and the estate of
J. Moriarty.
CLOUDS OF WILD DUCKS.
A Remarkable Scene OFF stony Greek
big Luck of Duck Hunters-Fffty